Storm protection apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for use in connecting an asset comprises one or more sheet members adapted to be located over an upper surface of an asset and secured between suitable anchors, preferably secured to the ground. In one disclosed embodiment the apparatus is modular and comprises a plurality of sheets releasably connected together via one or more interconnecting assemblies. In use, the apparatus deflects high winds around and over the asset, thus preventing or reducing damage caused by high wind loading.

1 . An apparatus for use in protecting an asset, said apparatus comprising: 
 at least one sheet member adapted to be located over an upper surface of an asset and secured between first and second anchoring means; and    a first connecting assembly adapted to be coupled between one of the first and second anchoring means and the sheet member.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , adapted for use in protecting an asset from high wind induced loading.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet member is adapted to deflect wind over or around an asset.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet member is adapted to minimise any pressure differential created externally and internally of an asset.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first connecting assembly comprises at least one anchor engaging member adapted to be secured at one end to the sheet member, and at an opposite end to anchor means.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first connecting assembly further comprises at least one connecting member adapted to be coupled to an end portion of the sheet member, wherein the anchor engaging member is adapted to be secured to the sheet member via said connecting member.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the connecting member is elongate and is of a length substantially equal to the width of the end portion of the sheet member to which said connecting member is to be coupled.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the anchor engaging member is secured to the connecting member via a profiled eyelet mating arrangement.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the connecting member is profiled in lateral cross-section and the anchor engaging member comprises an eyelet adjacent one end thereof, wherein the eyelet defines a profile substantially complementary to that of the connecting member.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the profile is asymmetrical such that, in use, the connecting member may only be received within the eyelet when the member and eyelet are relatively positioned in a particular orientation.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the connecting member defines a notch at a location in the outer surface thereof, such that, in use, the eyelet may be aligned with the notch formed in the outer surface thereof, and the eyelet then subsequently rotated about the connecting member.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first connecting assembly comprises two or more anchor engaging members.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the connecting member and sheet member define inter-engaging profiles adapted to be mated together and engaged to couple the sheet member to the connecting assembly.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein one of the connecting member and sheet member defines a female portion, and the other of the connecting member and sheet member defines a corresponding male portion.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a second connecting assembly is provided and adapted to be coupled between the other of the first and second anchoring means and the sheet member.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second connecting assembly comprises an anchor engaging member adapted to be secured between anchor means and the sheet member.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the second connecting assembly comprises a single anchor engaging member.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of sheet members adapted to be coupled together to form a canopy structure.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the sheet members are adapted to be releasably coupled together via an interconnecting assembly.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the interconnecting assembly comprises an inter-engaging mating structure.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the interconnecting assembly comprises an interconnecting member adapted to be interposed between two sheet members and to provide a coupling therebetween.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the interconnecting member is adapted to be coupled to the sheet members by inter-engaging profiles adapted to be mated together.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet member is non-perforated.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet member is flexible.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of sheet members are provided, at least one sheet member being square or rectangular, and at least one sheet member being substantially triangular in shape.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a protrusion adapted to extend outwardly relative to a surface of the sheet member.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the protrusion is elongate and arranged to be substantially perpendicular with a central axis of the sheet member.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the protrusion is adapted to be releasably coupled to the apparatus.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the protrusion is coupled to an interconnecting member located between two sheet members.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the protrusion is mounted on or integrally formed with a first support member and positioned on one side of an interconnecting member, wherein the first support member is engaged by a second support member located on an opposite side of said interconnecting member.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet member is adapted to be coupled between first and second anchor means positioned remote from the asset over which the sheet member is to be located.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising first and second anchor means between which the sheet member is adapted to be secured.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the first and second anchor means are adapted to be secured to the ground surrounding the asset over which the sheet member is to be located.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the first and second anchor means comprise toggle style earth anchors adapted to be driven into the ground and subsequently set in place.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein one or both of the first and second anchor means comprises a toggle style earth anchor having a toggle element pivotally coupled to one end of an elongate member.  
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the toggle element is adapted to be pivoted between a first position in which the toggle element is aligned substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the elongate member, and a second position in which the toggle element is aligned transversely of the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the earth anchor comprises an adjustable member adjustably mounted on the elongate member and aligned substantially coaxially therewith.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the adjustable member is threadably coupled to the elongate member such that relative rotation of the adjustable member and elongate member permits adjustment therebetween.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the earth anchor further comprises a coupling arrangement adapted to be coupled to the sheet member, either directly or via a connecting assembly.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the coupling arrangement comprises a ground engaging member and a coupling component adapted to be retained by the ground engaging member.  
   
   
       41 . A method for protecting an asset, said method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a sheet member over an upper surface of an asset;    securing one end of the sheet member to a first anchoring means via a first connecting assembly; and    securing an opposite end of the sheet member to a second anchoring means.    
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising the step of coupling together a plurality of sheet members to form a canopy structure, and securing said canopy structure between said first and second anchoring means.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising the step of setting in place said first and second anchoring means.  
   
   
       44 . A system for use in protecting an asset, said system comprising; 
 a plurality of sheet members adapted to be located over an upper surface of an asset and secured respectively between first and second anchoring means; and    a plurality of connecting assemblies adapted to be coupled between a respective sheet member and a respective first anchoring means.    
   
   
       45 . A kit of parts for forming an apparatus for use in protecting an asset, said kit of parts comprising: 
 at least one sheet member; and    a first connecting assembly;    wherein the sheet member is adapted to be located over an upper surface of an asset and secured between first and second anchoring means, the first connecting assembly being adapted to be coupled between one of the first and second anchoring means and the sheet member.    
   
   
       46 . The kit of parts as claimed in  claim 45 , further comprising a second connecting assembly adapted to be coupled between the other of the first and second anchoring means and the sheet member.  
   
   
       47 . The kit of parts as claimed in  claim 45 , wherein a plurality of sheet members are provided and adapted to be secured together.  
   
   
       48 . The kit of parts as claimed in  claim 47 , further comprising at least one interconnecting assembly adapted to be coupled between adjacent sheet members, when in use.  
   
   
       49 . A connection assembly comprising: 
 an elongate first member having an asymmetrical lateral cross-sectional profile and defining a notch in an outer surface thereof; and    a second member comprising an eyelet adapted to receive the first member when the first and second members are relatively positioned in a first orientation,    wherein rotation of the eyelet relative to the first member engages a portion of the eyelet within the notch of the first member.    
   
   
       50 . An anchor comprising: 
 an elongate member;    a toggle element pivotally coupled to one end of the elongate member, wherein the toggle element is adapted to be pivoted between a first position in which the toggle element is aligned substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the elongate member, and a second position in which the toggle element is aligned transversely of the longitudinal axis of the elongate member; and    an adjustable member adjustably mounted on the elongate member and aligned substantially coaxially therewith.    
   
   
       51 . The anchor of  claim 50 , wherein the adjustable member is threadably coupled to the elongate member such that relative rotation of the adjustable member and elongate member permits adjustment therebetween.  
   
   
       52 . The anchor of  claim 50 , further comprising a coupling arrangement positioned adjacent an end of the adjustable member.  
   
   
       53 . The anchor of  claim 52 , wherein the coupling arrangement comprises a ground engaging member and a coupling component adapted to be retained by the ground engaging member.